Anthropometric analysis of palpebral fissure dimensions and its position in south indian ethnic adults

Objectives: Te morphology and anatomical relationship of periorbital features vary according to age, sex and ethnicity. Standard database regarding periorbital region is available for other ethnic groups. Since there is no data available in the literature, specifcally for south Indian ethnic adults, the present study was carried out to determine the normal average values for South Indian ethnic population related to gender. Methods: Anthropometric measurements of both eyes were done on standardized frontal view photograph of 200 South Indian ethnic adults aged 18 to 26 years. Parameters included were palpebral fssure width (PFW), palpebral fssure height (PFH), palpebral fssure inclination (PFI), outercanthal distance (OCD), interpupillary distance (IPD), intercanthal distance (ICD) and comparisons were made between the genders using the independent t test. Results: Signifcant sexual dimorphism was noted in the given parameters. Palpebral fssure width (male: 31.08 mm; female: 29.90 mm), palpebral fssure inclination (male: 5.053°; female: 6.102°), outercanthal distance (male: 95.55 mm; female: 92.44 mm) and interpupillary distance (male: 66.72 mm; female: 62.59 mm). Te palpebral fssure height (male: 11.30 mm; female: 11.58 mm) and intercanthal distance (male: 34.27 mm; female: 33.41 mm) showed no signifcant sexual diferences. Conclusion: Statistically signifcant diferences were found between South Indian ethnic males and female in certain key parameters. Te present study suggests that ethnicity and gender should be considered in orbital surgery. To individualize the treatment planning and diagnosis, it is important for the surgeons to have knowledge of these local norms.